Analysis system and method for testing a sample

Abstract

An analysis system and a method for testing a biological sample is provided, wherein the sensitivity of the evaluation electronics of a fluid sensor is specified and/or changed depending on a phase of the test sequence and/or a cartridge identifier of the cartridge, and/or in that the fluid sensor comprises a sensor electrode that is intended for measuring electrical capacitance and is operated in a manner in which it is electrically connected to the evaluation electronics by a single pole and/or by means of a shielded sensor line.

1 - 48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . A method for testing a sample by means of an analysis system, comprising:
 receiving the sample in a cartridge of the analysis system, the cartridge comprising a fluid system that has a sensor portion through which fluid can flow; and   receiving the cartridge by an analysis device of the analysis system, and subsequently carrying out a test using the received cartridge, the analysis device comprising at least one fluid sensor that has evaluation electronics for detecting a content change in the sensor portion,   wherein the sensitivity of the evaluation electronics is at least one of specified or changed depending on one or more of a phase of a test sequence and a cartridge identifier of the cartridge.   
     
     
         50 . The method according to  claim 49 , wherein the fluid sensor comprises a sensor electrode that is configured for measuring electrical capacitance electrically connected to the evaluation electronics by a shielded sensor line. 
     
     
         51 . The method according to  claim 49 , wherein the fluid sensor measures, as a measurement result, one or more of an electrical variable or capacitance, the electrical variable or capacitance being dependent on one or more of a property of the content of the sensor portion, permittivity of the content of the sensor portion, electrical conductivity of the content of the sensor portion, and a liquid front moving within the sensor portion. 
     
     
         52 . The method according to  claim 51 , wherein if the measurement result changes, one or more of the following is performed: it is concluded that there has been a content change in the sensor portion; the measurement results are compared with a reference value or threshold value; and the content change is detected if at least one of a reference value or threshold value is exceeded. 
     
     
         53 . The method according to  claim 49 , wherein the sensitivity of the evaluation electronics is defined by one or more of a reference value for comparison with a measurement result originating from the fluid sensor, a threshold value for comparison with a measurement result originating from the fluid sensor, and a gain of a measuring amplifier connected to the sensor electrode. 
     
     
         54 . The method according to  claim 53 , wherein the one or more of the reference value, the threshold value, and the gain is specified or changed depending on the phase of the test sequence. 
     
     
         55 . The method according to  claim 53 , wherein the one or more of the reference value, the threshold value, and the gain is specified or changed depending on the cartridge identifier of the cartridge. 
     
     
         56 . The method according to  claim 49 , wherein calibration information corresponding to the cartridge is stored, the calibration information corresponding to the cartridge is at least one of retrieved or determined by means of the cartridge identifier, and the sensitivity of the evaluation electronics is set using the calibration information. 
     
     
         57 . The method according to  claim 56 , wherein the calibration information comprises one or more of the reference value, the threshold value and the gain, and the sensitivity of the evaluation electronics is set using the one or more of the reference value, the threshold value and the gain. 
     
     
         58 . The method according to  claim 49 , wherein one or more of the test on the sample, conveyance of the sample, and actuation of valves is controlled in a manner dependent on the detection of a content change or a liquid front moving in the sensor portion. 
     
     
         59 . The method according to  claim 49 , wherein an at least substantially constant electrical capacitance is produced between the sensor line and a shield electrode, wherein the evaluation electronics one or more of measures or compensates for this constant capacitance, and ignores said constant capacitance in evaluation. 
     
     
         60 . A computer program product comprising program code which, when executed, causes the method steps of the method according to  claim 49  to be carried out. 
     
     
         61 . An analysis system for testing a sample, comprising:
 a cartridge for receiving the sample, the cartridge comprising a fluid system that has a sensor portion through which fluid can flow; and   an analysis device for receiving the cartridge and subsequently carrying out a test using the received cartridge, the analysis device comprising at least one fluid sensor that has evaluation electronics for detecting a content change in the sensor portion,   wherein the analysis system is configured to at least one of specify or change the sensitivity of the evaluation electronics depending on one or more of a phase of the test sequence and a cartridge identifier of the cartridge.   
     
     
         62 . The analysis system according to  claim 61 , wherein a shield electrode is provided adjacently to the sensor line, wherein an at least substantially constant electrical capacitance is produced between the sensor line and the shield electrode, wherein the evaluation electronics is designed to one or more of measure the constant capacitance, compensate for the constant capacitance, and to ignore the constant capacitance in the evaluation. 
     
     
         63 . A method for testing a sample by means of an analysis system, comprising:
 receiving the sample in a cartridge of the analysis system, the cartridge comprising a fluid system that has a sensor portion through which fluid can flow; and   receiving the cartridge at an analysis device of the analysis system, and subsequently carrying out a test using the received cartridge, the analysis device comprising at least one fluid sensor that has evaluation electronics for detecting a content change in the sensor portion,   wherein the fluid sensor comprises a sensor electrode that is configured for measuring electrical capacitance and is at least one of operated single ended or electrically connected to the evaluation electronics by a shielded sensor line.   
     
     
         64 . The method according to  claim 63 , wherein the fluid sensor measures, as a measurement result, one or more of an electrical variable and a capacitance, the one or more of electrical variable and capacitance being dependent on one or more of a property of the content of the sensor portion, permittivity of the content of the sensor portion, electrical conductivity of the content of the sensor portion, and a liquid front moving within the sensor portion. 
     
     
         65 . The method according to  claim 63 , wherein one or more of the test on the sample, the conveyance of the sample, and actuation of valves is controlled in a manner dependent on the detection of a content change in the sensor portion. 
     
     
         66 . The method according to  claim 63 , wherein one or more of the test on the sample, the conveyance of the sample, and actuation of valves is controlled in a manner dependent on the detection of the liquid front moving within the sensor portion. 
     
     
         67 . An analysis system for testing a sample comprising:
 a cartridge for receiving the sample, the cartridge comprising a fluid system that has a sensor portion through which fluid can flow; and   an analysis device for receiving the cartridge and subsequently carrying out a test using the received cartridge, the analysis device comprising at least one fluid sensor that has evaluation electronics for detecting a content change in the sensor portion,   wherein the fluid sensor comprises a sensor electrode that is configured for measuring electrical capacitance and is at least one of single ended or electrically connected to the evaluation electronics by a shielded sensor line.   
     
     
         68 . The analysis system according to  claim 67 , wherein the evaluation electronics is configured to measure the electrical capacitance of the sensor electrode. 
     
     
         69 . The analysis system according to  claim 67 , wherein the sensor line connects the sensor electrode to the evaluation electronics by means of a via in a printed circuit board. 
     
     
         70 . The analysis system according to  claim 67 , wherein an at least substantially constant electrical capacitance is produced between the sensor line and the shield electrode, wherein the evaluation electronics is designed to one or more of measure or compensate for the constant capacitance, and to ignore the constant capacitance in the evaluation.